Locking device for securing an outboard motor to a boat

ABSTRACT

An improved locking device is disclosed herein for preventing the unauthorized removal of an outboard motor from a boat. The device comprises a first support element having a threaded, semicircular opening formed therein which threadably embraces one side of the outboard motor clamp bolt between the boat transom and the motor clamp arm. A pair of stud elements are secured to and extend from the first support element on opposite sides of the semi-circular opening. A second support element is slidably mounted on the stud elements on the other side of the clamp bolt and has a threaded, semi-circular opening formed therein which threadably engages the other side of the clamp bolt. A pair of nuts are threadably mounted on the stud elements to maintain the two support elements on the blamp bolt. A cap is slidably mounted on the stud elements and has countersunk openings formed therein which receive the nuts. A key actuated lock is slidably mounted on the stud elements with its lock bolt engaging a notch in at least one of the stud elements to prevent the disassembly of the components of the locking device. The device prevents the clamp bolt from being rotated thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the outboard motor from the bolt transom.

United States Patent [1 Belknap 11 May 8,1973

[54] LOCKING DEVICE FOR SECURING AN OUTBOARD MOTOR TO A BOAT [76] Inventor: Jack S. Belknlp, 714 E. Robinson,

Knoxville, Iowa 50138 [22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 139,001

Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-Zarley, Mc Kee & Thomte [57] ABSTRACT An improved locking device is disclosed herein for preventing the unauthorized removal of an outboard motor from a boat. The device comprises a first support element having a threaded, semi-circular opening formed therein which threadably embraces one side of the outboard motor clamp bolt between the boat transom and the motor clamp arm. A pair of stud elements are secured to and extend from the first support element on opposite sides of the semi-circular opening. A second support element is slidably mounted on the stud elements on the other side of the clamp bolt and has a threaded, semi-circular opening formed therein which threadably engages the other side of the clamp bolt. A pair of nuts are th'readably mounted on the stud elements to maintain the two support elements on the blamp bolt. A cap is slidably mounted on the stud elements and has countersunk openings formed therein which receive the nuts. A key actuated lock is slidably mounted on the stud elements with its lock bolt engaging a notch in at least one of the stud' elements to prevent the disassembly of the componentsof the locking device. The device prevents the clamp bolt from being rotatedl thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the outboard motor from the bolt transom.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures LOCKING DEVICEVFOR sacuamc AN OUTBOARD MOTOR TO A BOAT Many locking devices have been used to secure an outboard motor to the transom of a boat but most of these devices are susceptible to being cut with bolt cutters. Additionally, the conventional devices have a tendency to open when struck by a hammer or the like.

Therefore, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved locking device for securing an outboard motor to aboatL a i A further object of this invention is to provide a locking device for securing an outboard motor to a boat whichis not susceptible to being cut with bolt cutters.

A further object of this invention is to provide a locking device for securing an outboard motor to a boat which has a configuration such that it is difiicult, if not impossible, to open the device by striking the same with a hammer.

A further object of this invention is to provide a locking device for securing an outboard motor to a boat including means which shields the nuts on the threaded stud elements. 1

A further object of this invention is to provide a locking device for securing an outboard motor to a boat which is economical to manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This invention consists in the construction, arrange ments, and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims; and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

meral l6 refers to the clamp assembly found on most outboard motors and including a clamp arm 18 which engages side 12 of transom and clamp arm 20 which is spaced therefrom through which threadably extends the clamp bolt 22. Clamp bolt 22 has a handle 24 on its outer end for facilitating the rotation thereof and has a plate 26 at its other end which is in engagementwith the side 14 of the transom 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The locking device of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 28. Device 28 includes a substantially C-shaped support eiement 30 which has a semi-circular threaded opening 32 formed therein which is adapted to threadably engage the threads of the clamp bolt 22 as shown in FIG. 3. Support element 28 includes an arcuate top portion 34, flat face portion 36 and arcuate face portion 38.

A pair of stud elements 40 and 42 are threadably mounted in bores 44 and 46 formed in support element 30 and which extend therefrom on opposite sides of the opening 32 as illustrated in the drawings. Lock pins 48 and 50 extend inwardly through face portion 36 and engage the inner ends of the stud elements 44 and 46 as east AVAILABLE COPY notches 52 and 54 formed therein, respectively.

Thenumeral 56 refers to a second support element having a threaded, semi-circular opening 58 formed therein which is adapted to threadably engage the threads of the clamp bolt 22 as seen in FIG. 3. Support element 56 includes flat base portion 60, arcuate face portion 62 and flat bottom. portion 64. A pair of openings 66 and 68 extend through the element 56 and are adapted to have the stud elements 40 and 42 extending therethrough. Nuts 70 and 72 are adapted to be threadably received on the threaded portions of the stud elements 40 and 42, respectively, to maintain the support elements 30 and 56 in the position seen in FIG. 3.

The numeral 74 refers to a cap or cover element having openings 76 and 78 extending therethrough which are adapted to receive the stud elements 40 and 42, as shown in FIG. 3. The cap 74 is provided with countersunk openings 80 and 82 which are adapted to receive the nuts 70 and 72 therein to shield or cover the nuts. A key actuated lock 84 is provided and includes bores 86 and 88 extending therethrough which are adapted to slidably receive the reduced diameter portions of the stud elements 40 and 42, respectively. The lock 84 is conventional in design and includes a lock bolt which engages the notches 52 and 54 to maintain the lock on the stud elements 40 and 42 when the lockis in its locked position.

The normal method of operation is as follows. As suming that the outboard motor has previously been installed on the transom l0 and that the locking device 28 is in its unassembled condition, the support element 30 is positioned on the clamp bolt 22 between the plate 60 and arm 20. Support element 56 is then slidably mounted on the stud elements 40 and 42 so that the threaded opening 58 threadably engages the threads of the clamp bolt 22 opposite to the threaded opening 32 in support element 30. Nuts 70 and 72 are then threadably mounted on the stud elements 40 and 42 and are wrench tightened. The cap 74v is then slidably mounted on the stud elements 40 and 42 so that the nuts 70 and 72 are received in the countersunk openings 80 and. 82, respectively. Lock 84 is then slidably mounted on the stud elements 40 and 42 and locked into place so that the lock bolt thereof engages the notches 52 and 54. The key 90is then removed from the lock 84.

The threadable engagement of the openings 32 and 58 with the threads of the clamp bolt prevents the rotation of the clamp bolt 22 thereby preventing the clamp bolt 22 from being rotated sufficiently to move the plate 26 out of engagement with the transom 10 to permit the removal of the motor therefrom. It is important that the threads in opening 32 and. 58 coincide with the 5 size of the threads on bolt 22. The fact that the nuts 70 and 72 are shielded from view prevents a wrench or chisel being applied thereto. The cap 74 has a length and width which is greater than the length and width of the lock 84 and such a feature prevents a hammer blow being delivered to the upper end of the lock 84 to cause the separation of the lock 84 from the stud elements 40 and 42.

It can be seen that a unique and improved locking device has been provided for securing an outboard motor to a boat which not only prevents the unauthorized removal of the motor from the boat but also prevents the loosening of the clamp bolt 22 during normal operation of the boat thereby preventing the outboard motor from falling from the boat transom during use. Thus it can be seen that the device accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

I claim:

1. In combination with an outboard motor having a mounting clamp with spaced apart arms adapted to embrace the end of a boat transom and a clamp bolt threadably extending through one of the arms for operative engagement with the boat transom, comprismg,

a first support member having a f'ust semi-circular,

threaded opening formed therein,

first and second spaced apart stud elements secured to said first support member extending therefrom on opposite sides of said first opening,

a second support member having first and second openings formed therein adapted to receive said first and second stud elements extending therethrough,

said second support member having a second semicircular, threaded opening formed therein between said first and second openings, said first and second threaded semi-circular openings adapted to threadably embrace opposite portions of said clamp bolt between the boat transom and saidonearm,

said first and second support members having a sufficient thickness so as to substantially embrace that portion of the clamp bolt -which is positioned between said one arm and the boat transom to limit the rotation of said clamp bolt with respect to said boat transom,

first and second nuts threadably mounted on said stud elements,

a cap element having first and second openings formed therein for receiving said first and second stud elements extending therethrough, and

lock means mounted on said first and second stud elements to prevent the unauthorized removal of said cap element and said first and second support members from said clamp bolt.

2. The combination of claim 8 wherein said first and second openings of said cap element have a diameter sufficient so as to receive said nuts therein.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said cap element has a length and width greater than the length and width of the lock means so as to partially shield said lock means.

ration. u

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said stud elements have means thereon for preventing their removal from said first support member.

I I! 1K 

1. In combination with an outboard motor having a mounting clamp with spaced apart arms adapted to embrace the end of a boat transom and a clamp bolt threadably extending through one of the arms for operative engagement with the boat transom, comprising, a first support member having a first semi-circular, threaded opening formed therein, first and second spaced apart stud elements secured to said first support member extending therefrom on opposite sides of said first opening, a second support member having first and second openings formed therein adapted to receive said first and second stud elements extending therethrough, said second support member having a second semi-circular, threaded opening formed therein between said first and second openings, said first and second threaded semi-circular openings adapted to threadably embrace opposite portions of said clamp bolt between the boat transom and said one arm, said first and second support members having a sufficient thickness so as to substantially embrace that portion of the clamp bolt which is positioned between said one arm and the boat transom to limit the rotation of said clamp bolt with respect to said boat transom, first and second nuts threadably mounted on said stud elements, a cap element having first and second openings formed therein for receiving said first and second stud elements extending therethrough, and lock means mounted on said first and second stud elements to prevent the unauthorized removal of said cap element and said first and second support members from said clamp bolt.
 2. The combination of claim 8 wherein said first and second openings of said cap element have a diameter sufficient so as to receive said nuts therein.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said cap element has a length and width greater than the length and width of the lock means so as to partially shield said lock means.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said lock means is a key operated lock, said stud elements having locking notches formed therein for receiving the lock bolt of the lock.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said first support member has a substantially flat, semi-circular configuration.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said stud elements have means thereon for preventing their removal from said first support member. 